AUBURN, Alabama -- Now that Anthony Swain has returned to the Auburn team after missing the spring due to undisclosed off-the-field issues, the junior linebacker has a fight on his hands to remain the Tigers' top backup at linebacker.

But the Tigers could use his experience.

Swain, used mostly as a special teams ace in 2012, was forced into action when weak-side linebacker Cassanova McKinzy went down with an injury against Ole Miss and responded with a team-best eight tackles, earning playing time behind McKinzy the rest of the year.

Swain finished the season with 26 tackles and a fumble recovery in the national championship game.

"Well, it's experience," Tigers defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson said. "He played in a lot of SEC games last year."

Swain's off-the-field issues -- the team has never disclosed the details, but he was not injured -- kept him out of spring practices, allowing redshirt freshman Cameron Toney, junior Kenny Flowers and converted safety Khari Harding to make a move at the position.

JaViere Mitchell, who played briefly in goal-line situations last season, will also be back in the mix after recovering from a broken foot suffered in the SEC Championship Game.

When training camp begins in August, Swain will have to earn back his role as the backup linebacker on the weak side, the spot where Kris Frost is now starting after Johnson shuffled his two starters this spring.

"He still has to come back and fight to get his job back," Johnson said. "Those guys in spring practice kind of established themselves, but at least he's got experience in SEC ballgames."